Cultural Heritage

The Lolo Uweng devotion goes up to a higher level during the forty-day Lenten Season. This is understandable because this is the season when the entire Christendom commemorate the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and therefore, the time of the year when the image of Jesus in the Holy Sepulchre becomes the main focus of attention. It is in Landayan during the Semana Santa (Holy Week) where one can feel the true Lenten spirit, where Lent is experienced in a contemplative and pious atmosphere, the Shrine thus becomes a virtual "Mecca" to Catholic pilgrims fulfilling their annual panata. Most of these pilgrims  are not necessarily the regular Friday devotees because they live in distant places but kept a "long-distance" relationship with Lolo Uweng through their regular devotion prayers. However, once a year, they make it a point to visit the Shrine individually, by family, or by groups. Some of them would even walk their way from their homes to the Shrine during the Holy Week particularly on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. The Shrine is also a favorite "Visita Iglesia destination for pilgrims from all over Luzon. Based on parish records, most of them come from cities and towns in Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Quezon, Rizal Province and Metro Manila. Lately, pilgrims from the Central Luzon provinces of Bulacan, Pampanga and Nueva Ecija, and the Northern Luzon provinces of Pangasinan and La Union have been coming to the Shrine. Most of them have said that they have come to know about Lolo Uweng through word of mouth or from top- rating programs shown on national television. In the recent years, Lolo Uweng has been watched by millions of television viewers on programs like ABS-CBN's "Rated K", "Umagang Kay Ganda", "Kalye", and "Showtime", and likewise on GMA-7's "Kapuso, Jessica Sojo" and Channel 13's Holy Week program "Siete Palabras. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, in a 2012 post-Holy Week news report written by its San Pedro-based journalist Maricar Cinco, made known to the world that pilgrims to the Shrine would even reach around a million during Holy Week. She reported that no other religious destination site in the country can attract this number of pilgrims particularly during Maundy Thursday and Good Friday when a virtual sea of humanity moves continuously around the Shrine area in one direction. It is during this so-called peak of the pilgrimage when, amazingly, all roads lead to Landayan. Unfortunately, this Holy Week spectacle is not reported by radio or television networks, unlike the yearly feast of the Black Nazarene of Quiapo in January. Holy Week is the time of the year when most broadcast journalists and production staff go on sabbatical, and TV viewers are simply fed with local and foreign canned or pre-taped programs. Radio and print reporters also hardly come by the Shrine to cover this event at this time. 

 The Lakbay Lawa Festival was first celebrated in 2003 in Landayan, San Pedro City, Laguna, Philippines. It was a unique celebration that involved a procession of the miraculous image of Lolo Uweng, Lolo Uweng's image was believed to have been found by fishermen in Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the Philippines, hundreds of years ago.

The festival was a way for the people of San Pedro to honor and thank Lolo Uweng for his miracles, protection and guidance throughout the years. The festival also aimed to raise awareness about the importance of Laguna de Bay and the livelihoods of the people who depended on it, particularly the fishermen.

During the festival, the image of Lolo Uweng was taken on a procession around the lake, with devotees and participants following along. There were also cultural performances, food stalls, and other activities that showcased the local culture and traditions.

Unfortunately, the festival was stopped for a good reason.

 However, the people of Landayan continue to honor and pray to Lolo Uweng, even without the festival. They believe that his protection and guidance will continue to guide them through the challenges they face, and that one day, the festival will be able to make a comeback .

The history of the Pagoda in Landayan, San Pedro City, Laguna dates back several centuries, and the celebration has become an important part of the community's traditional culture. The Pagoda is a water procession that takes place annually on September 29th to honor the Feast of Saint Michael, the first patron of Sitio Landayan.

According to local lore, the tradition of the Pagoda began when the early settlers of Landayan were facing a severe drought that threatened their crops and livelihood. The people of Landayan turned to Saint Michael, their patron saint, for help. In response to their prayers, the saint appeared to a fisherman and instructed him to gather the community in a procession around Laguna de Bay, asking for the heavens to provide rain. The people of Landayan followed the instructions, and soon after, it rained, and their crops were saved.

Since then, the Pagoda has been celebrated annually to commemorate this miracle and to honor Saint Michael. The celebration begins with a Mass, followed by a procession of the image of Saint Michael and the Blessed Virgin Mary, carried on a specially-decorated barge or pagoda, which is then set afloat on the Laguna de Bay.

The Pagoda procession is accompanied by the sound of drums and other traditional musical instruments, and the local residents and devotees of Saint Michael follow the procession in their own boats, which are also decorated with flags and banners. The people sing hymns and offer prayers to Saint Michael, asking for his intercession in their lives.

The Pagoda celebration also includes a variety of traditional activities, such as parlor games, dance performances, and food stalls offering local delicacies. The community comes together to celebrate their faith, culture, and history, and to express gratitude for the blessings that they have received.

Over the years, the Pagoda celebration has become an important part of the identity of the people of Landayan, and it continues to be celebrated with great enthusiasm and reverence. The tradition has been passed down from generation to generation, and it remains a powerful expression of the people's faith and their connection to the land and the water that sustain their way of life.

The Balon ni Lolo Uweng, is a natural spring found in the town of Landayan in San Pedro City, Laguna, Philippines. It has been a well-known source of miraculous water for more than a century.

Over time, the Balon ni Lolo Uweng became a popular pilgrimage site for people seeking healing from various illnesses. It is said that the water has cured everything from skin diseases to cancer. Many people believe that the water has a spiritual quality and that its healing powers come from the intercession of Lolo Uweng, who is considered a patron saint of the local community.

The Balon ni Lolo Uweng is also surrounded by legends and myths. Some people believe that there is a hidden cave beneath the well that connects it to the altar table of the shrine of Lolo Uweng. Others say that the well is guarded by spirits that protect the water and keep it pure.

Despite the many legends surrounding the Balon ni Lolo Uweng, one thing is certain: it has become an important part of the local culture and is deeply cherished by the community. Today, many devotees come to the well to drink the water or take a bath in it, believing that it will bring them healing and blessings. The Balon ni Lolo Uweng continues to be a source of inspiration and wonder for people from all walks of life.